One of our members Diletto is busy revamping their business strategy to take their business from just on the map in Cape Town to a national then international brand. This is not a journey for the faint hearted with many hours being spend in discussions and even more behind the keyboard doing research and business plan typing.

Recently Francis was interviewed by Reuben on Classic Fm, here is the link to the recording.

Hidden away in the Helderberg is the base camp for an entrepreneurship secret that is helping clean up our streets in more ways than one. Jo Kearney runs an organisation Bottle Craft that uses old discarded glass bottles and teaches people to cut, glue, sand and shine them back into products that would suit any home, restaurant or hotel.

In doing this he is also creating job opportunities and hope for people who would otherwise be unemployed and without income.

I got hold of one of Jo’s home kits last week and was able to make some items (not worthy of selling yet) in just a few hours. The simplicity of the kit and ease of use is the secret. Business overheads are minimal, raw material is free and the products limited to only your imagination.

With the World Cup coming soon, and no shortage of empty glass bottles, I will not be surprised to see hundreds of new businesses springing up all over South Africa offering a new range of trash for cash.

Francis Richter from Diletto online Deli has taken the next step in securing his future by taking his wedding vows with Lila. Congratulations to both, may this new partnership be blessed and ever lasting.

Francis and his other partner (in business) Martin Lompa are currently working on a revised business plan with EI to develop fresh strategies and actions for the business as well to seek funding to expand the businesses footprint to national and international. I wonder if Lila knows what it will be like to be married to a true Entrepreneur? The future awaits.

Robin Buck from Fitness Boot Camp is a part of a worldwide team that will simultaneously conduct a group exercise programme. They hope to get enough people across the globe exercising at the same time to get into the Guinness Book of World records. I will be there on Saturday t the UCT campus at 18:00 as an official judge and supervisor just to make sure that Robin does not over work the participants and to check on the numbers.
If you want to be a part of this workout and have some left over Christmas pudding to get rid off then signup here and join in on this world event. Sounds like fun.

Past clients of the Entrepreneur Incubator James Thorburn from Cape Realty gets his Super Hero status on Ideate this week. James joined the Incubator a few years ago to help decide what to do with his huge amount of energy and his natural talent for Entrepreneurship. Over the years we have seen James go from importing flashy LED T-shirts, Freeline skates and other interesting money makers, but it was the family business that finally settled his desire of money making. We walked the road with James and his mother Sandy as they started to grow the business and move into their awesome seafront offices in Camps Bay and then again when Andrew joined them last year.

Cape Realty has gone from strength to strength and defiantly holds up the integrity part of business. With huge corruption and underhanded dealing in this sector it is all too easy to chase the money and loose respect but they have become sustainable through their upright approach to each deal always putting the customer and client first. Well Done James and team, welcome to the Super Hero club.

Today, I will be joined by Robin Buck from Fitness Boot Camp on Radio CCFm as we discuss planning and goal setting for the new year. Here is the heads up on the discussion so you can either follow along or if you miss the broadcast you can take these notes and begin the process on your own.

Why set goals?

Setting of goals has to be the number one tool to get movement in a person or organization’s life. Just the activity of writing down a list of things to do or buy goes a long way to achieving results.

Clearing out the old

Clearing out the old year is the first step in setting new goals. We too often drag unnecessary issues around with us. We need to start this exercise with a reality check. Make a list of all the outstanding activities for both yourself and your business. Then review this list and cross off anything that is out dated and not relevant.

Top down planning

Before we go on to making new goals we need to look at the top down process of planning. From our Vision statement for the business we need to list around seven different strategic focus points that will help us move closer to this vision. Now transfer all the left over activities from this year to the new list under each of these strategies. Add any more activities you feel need to be on the list under each heading.

Converting activities into goals

Converting a list of activities into goals is as simple as adding three additional columns. Add a due date for each item. Then add the person who will be responsible for getting this activity done and another person’s name of someone who will ensure that this activity is done.

You now have a list of goals for the future.

As we wind down to take a break, may I take this opportunity to wish all our readers world wide a merry and blessed Christmas and happy holidays. No matter your beliefs, circumstances or position related to business, money or geographic, may this time be one of reflection and growth, family, friends and rest.

We look forward to 2010 that promises to be all it can for us small business owners and Entrepreneurs. See you all on the other side ready and fit for service. Thanks and blessings from the EI team.

One of our newest members, the Diletto team of Francis and Martin offered a super hamper give away through the Ideate site. This competition solicited 15 different entries ranging from sunset cruises to well other things. Here was the suggestion by the winner Louise;

Congratulations Louise, or should we say it to her hubby…enjoy

We are working with the Diletto team firming up their business plans for the future in anticipation of gaining funding and growing their business to a sustainable national and international footprint. Take a visit to their site here, order some biscotti and other delectable items and then wait by the front door for your yummy treats to arrive.

Click Click, Yum Yum, easy as pie and just a nice.

The Diletto team Martin and Francis

Today saw the graduation of the eight members of the CTBi Jump Start programme for 2009. Over the past 5 months we have educated, nurtured, exposed and motivated business owners linked to the Boat Building industry in Cape Town. This initiative is managed by Roshin Schmidt from the CTBI (Cape Town Boat Building and Technology Initiative) and sponsored by various boat-building businesses.

My role has been to facilitate the five workshops covering all aspects of business related topics from marketing, finance, staffing to personal presentation and positioning. It has been once again a huge honour to walk this road with the participants as they have come to realize that their horizons lie a lot further away than previously predicted.

To make use of any of the graduates or if you wan to recommend or sponsor a deserving business or person in an industry related to boats or boat building then contact Roshin at the CTBi offices.